GCC: Bridge Market 2025

Bridge Market Size in GCC

The GCC bridge market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, increasing by 98% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a remarkable increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Bridge Production in GCC

In value terms, bridge production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Bridge Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, overseas shipments of bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel) decreased by -35.3% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, bridge exports reduced rapidly to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 40%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Bahrain represented the main exporter of bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel) in GCC, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was near 65% of total exports in 2021. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Saudi Arabia (12%). Kuwait (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from Bahrain decreased at an average annual rate of -1.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+5.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +5.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Kuwait (-4.0%) and Saudi Arabia (-6.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+7.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Saudi Arabia (-7.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest bridge supplying countries in GCC were Bahrain ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X), with a combined 95% share of total exports.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +10.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Export price indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, bridge export price increased by +55.8% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 43%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Bahrain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+6.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Bridge Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel), when their volume decreased by -36.2% to X tons. Total imports indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then fell sharply in the following year.

In value terms, bridge imports plummeted to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia represented the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which accounted for 64% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Oman (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons), together making up a 33% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to bridge imports into Saudi Arabia stood at +7.0%. At the same time, Bahrain (+19.8%) and Kuwait (+19.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +19.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Oman (-1.8%), the United Arab Emirates (-6.7%) and Qatar (-17.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain increased by +23, +4 and +4 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel) in GCC, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Saudi Arabia stood at +2.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Oman (-1.4% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-5.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a noticeable curtailment. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform